The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he’s packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.

And strike it does. For in Harry’s second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls’ bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley’s younger sister, Ginny.

But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone — or something — starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects… Harry Potter himself!

WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS

Even though this is my least favorite Harry Potter book from the series (I can’t really pinpoint why…) I still love it all the same. I said this before but oh, the foreshadowing! I really like how this book still has the sparkly new aspects of a new series, but also ventures into the territory of circumstances and situations that are getting darker and more serious. Cue scary Basilisk roars!

As usual, all the characters were fantastically wonderful and I love them all dearly (Don’t think about book 7! Don’t cry!). J.K. Rowling creates characters you love to love and love to hate (Looking at you Lockheart and Snape). I really have a finer appreciation for a lot of characters though because of finishing the series and now knowing why certain people are acting the way that they are (Again, looking at you Snape).

Side note; I love these new covers from the 15th anniversary box set that I bought at the Scholastic Warehouse. They are simply gorgeous! The details are just incredible! I just love that you can see one of the twins driving the car, I think George? Doesn’t matter, I love them both.